The short answer
The Wilson Vesper Power 14 is an elongated Vesper with a first-hand review of the exact model (Kip Lacey: “This paddle blew me away”), the Wilson Cadence SF Pro 16 is the StrikeFoam widebody MyPickleList’s tester ended up preferring, and the Wilson Blaze Tour 16 is the 16 mm elongated Blaze sold by Amazon in our $ price tier.
Our verdict
Our Top Picks
Wilson’s US store listed six pickleball paddles when we checked on October 26, 2026: two Vesper Power models, the Vesper SF Control 17, two Blaze models and the Cadence SF Pro 16. All six were in stock on Amazon from a New seller at or below Wilson’s own regular price, so all six are reviewed here, and every pick is a Wilson paddle. The specs come from Wilson’s own product pages, in the US and, where the US page prints no figures, on Wilson’s Australian, Singapore and Indonesian sites; where two Wilson pages disagree, both figures are shown.
Related guide: Ben Johns Pickleball Paddles: 8 JOOLA Signature Picks Compared
The brand sorts its paddles into four paddle lines, and the guide follows them. For paddles from every brand, see our best pickleball paddles or browse all our paddle guides.
Related guide: Best USA Pickleball Approved Paddles: 8 Picks Compared
Paddle finder
Find a Wilson paddle for how you play
Pick how you play and what you want to spend. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the six paddles below, not a test result.
Tiers are relative to the paddles in this guide; live prices are in the comparison table below.
Picks: Vesper Power 14, Cadence SF Pro 16, Blaze SF Pro 13, Blaze Tour 16, Vesper Power 17, Vesper SF Control 17.
Compare the picks
Compare the 6 Wilson paddles
Every row is the exact Wilson model we link. Core, weight, size and face material are Wilson’s own figures, and the cell names the Wilson site when it is not Wilson’s US page. Wilson prints a weight of 230 g (about 230 g for the SF Control 17) for all six; Amazon’s “item weight” field is a shipping weight, so we do not use it.
Wilson Vesper Power 1414 mm Elongated VesperPower, elongated, two-handers14 mm IsoChamber core230 g$99.00 Prime
Evidence: Pickleball Portal (Kip Lacey), this exact model
Wilson Cadence SF Pro 1616 mm Foam WidebodyControl, widebody, foam core16 mm StrikeFoam solid foam230 g / 8.1 oz$91.11
Face: Raw hybrid: raw carbon over fiberglass (Wilson's description says "full raw carbon")
Evidence: MyPickleList (Pickle Li), this exact model
Wilson Blaze SF Pro 1313 mm Foam ElongatedElongated, thin core, foam core13 mm StrikeFoam solid foam230 g / 8.1 oz$80.00
Evidence: MyPickleList (Pickle Li), this exact model
Wilson Blaze Tour 1616 mm Honeycomb BlazePower, spin, elongated16 mm polypropylene honeycomb230 g / 8.1 oz$145.50
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Wilson Vesper Power 1717 mm Elongated VesperPower, elongated, two-handers17 mm IsoChamber honeycomb230 g / 8.11 oz$94.50
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Wilson Vesper SF Control 1717 mm Foam ControlControl, widebody, foam core17 mm StrikeFoam solid foamAbout 8.1 oz / 230 g$164.95
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Wilson’s Paddle Lines, in Wilson’s Words
Wilson’s own guide, How To Choose a Pickleball Paddle, sums up its four lines in one list: “Fierce → Easy to use, forgiving, and confidence-building”, “Cadence → Control, consistency, and placement”, “Blaze → Power, spin, and aggressive play” and “Vesper → Premium performance across every shot”. It says the Vesper “represents Wilson’s most advanced pickleball paddle”. That is the brand describing its own range, and it is the map this guide uses.
- Fierce. Wilson aims it at “Beginners and newer players” and “Recreational play”. Wilson’s US store did not list a Fierce paddle when we checked, so there is no Wilson US regular price to check an Amazon offer against, and no Fierce paddle is a pick here. Fierce Pro, Fierce Max and NFL-collection Fierce Team listings showed up in an Amazon search that day, and the USA Pickleball list has entries for the Fierce Pro, Fierce Team and Fierce Max (all added in 2023).
- Cadence. Wilson’s control line (“For players who prioritize control and precision”). Its pick here is the StrikeFoam widebody.
- Blaze. Wilson’s power line: “Its elongated shape and spin-friendly surface help generate power and put pressure on opponents.” Two picks: a 13 mm StrikeFoam model and a 16 mm honeycomb model.
- Vesper. Wilson’s single-piece design with an open throat. Wilson’s blog describes it as “Built with premium materials like a carbon fiber frame and Strikefoam core”; of the three Vespers here, the SF Control 17 has the StrikeFoam core, while Wilson’s pages give the Power 14 an “IsoChamber” core and the Power 17 an “IsoChamber honeycomb core”.
Two build choices run across the lines. Core material: Wilson calls StrikeFoam “our all-new solid foam core”, which is a different build from the polypropylene honeycomb in the Blaze Tour 16 and the IsoChamber honeycomb in the Vesper Power 17. Core thickness: Wilson’s guide says “13mm paddles: Thinner core, more power and responsiveness” and “16mm paddles: Thicker core, more control, stability, and softer feel”. Face material: Wilson calls five of the six faces raw hybrid, which it defines as “Raw Carbon Fiber hitting surface with a fiberglass base layer” (two of those five are described differently elsewhere on Wilson’s pages; the reviews say where), and Wilson’s guide says “Fiberglass/composite: Adds power and pop”. The Blaze Tour 16 has a raw carbon fiber face.
How We Chose These Wilson Paddles
How this guide was built
built from Wilson’s own product pages (US, Australia, Singapore and Indonesia), the USA Pickleball approved-paddle list, first-hand reviews by Kip Lacey (Pickleball Portal) and Pickle Li (MyPickleList), and owner comments on Reddit; we have not tested these paddles ourselves.
What each paddle had to show
- A Wilson paddle on Wilson’s US store. We read every product in Wilson’s US online store on 2026-10-26; six pickleball paddles were listed, each with a regular price. Those six are the picks.
- Stocked on Amazon at a fair price. Each pick was a New offer in stock on Amazon on 2026-10-26, at or below Wilson’s US regular price. The seller named in each review held the buy box when we checked that day; buy boxes rotate between sellers.
- The exact model. The UPC on each Amazon listing matches the barcode Wilson’s US store gives that model, colour and grip size. One listing’s title and grip-size field disagree with its UPC on grip size; that review says so.
- Specs in Wilson’s own words. Wilson’s US pages give few figures. Where they give none, we use Wilson’s Australian, Singapore or Indonesian page for the same model and say which.
- Few repeats from our other guides. We checked every Amazon product link in all our published, scheduled and private posts. One of the six, the Vesper SF Control 17, also appears in another of our guides; the other five do not.
Sources and their limits and the approval list check
Sources and their limits
Three picks have a first-hand review of the exact model: Kip Lacey’s Vesper Power 14 review on Pickleball Portal (June 10, 2025, written up from their video review) and Pickle Li’s StrikeFoam first impressions on MyPickleList (March 22, 2026), which covers the Blaze SF Pro 13 and the Cadence SF Pro 16 after “a couple of days” with demo paddles. Pickle Li calls it “a first impressions review, not a full review”. One pick (the Vesper SF Control 17) has an owner’s comment on Reddit, and two (the Blaze Tour 16 and Vesper Power 17) rest on Wilson’s specs alone. MyPickleList also runs community paddle ratings; we quote only its published review.
Wilson paddles on Amazon that are not picks: the Blaze SF Tour 16, the earlier Vesper Control 17, the Vesper SF Power 14, the Fierce Pro and Fierce Max, the Tempo 16mm, the Blaze 13mm, the Blaze Edgeless 13 and the Cadence Edgeless 16. Wilson’s US store did not list any of them on 2026-10-26, so we had no Wilson regular price to hold their Amazon offers to.
The approval list check
We searched the USA Pickleball approved-paddle list for each model on 2026-10-26, under its plain name and with hyphens and spaces removed or added. All six picks have an entry; the “added” dates in each review are the list’s own. For USA Pickleball approval of any paddle, check the list for the exact model name.
Detailed Reviews
Wilson Vesper Power 14, 14 mm Elongated Vesper
Black/White · 14 mm IsoChamber core
Tennis players and two-handed hitters who want an elongated Vesper and value placement as much as pop.
$99.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 05:41 UTCVerdict
An elongated 14 mm Vesper that a named tester praised after hitting the exact model, for players who want a long handle for two-handed backhands.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, exact model. Pickleball Portal (Kip Lacey): Vesper Power 14.
Wilson’s Vesper Power 14 page describes “The elongated shape together with an extended, one-piece handle”, which it says “increases reach, promotes power and provides a consistent feel that’s capable of two-handed backhands”, and a “raw hybrid face with a fiberglass base layer”. It lists Wilson’s IsoChamber, Carbon OptiMax and FreeFlex Throat technologies but no figures. Wilson’s Singapore page gives them: a 230 g weight, 14 mm thickness, 419 mm length, 190 mm width and 133 mm grip length.
Kip Lacey reviewed the exact paddle for Pickleball Portal (June 10, 2025). They expected a pure power paddle and found otherwise: “But actually, accuracy, control, and consistency is where this paddle shines.” They measured an average serve of 50.8 mph against their usual 48 to 50 and called that “Not extraordinary power, but really good.” Their figures differ from Wilson’s in one place: they give the paddle as “16 and 1/2 inches long, 7 and 1/4 inches wide”, where Wilson Singapore lists 190 mm (about 7.5 in) of width; their sample “does come in at 8.2 ounces”. Their one complaint was the price.
It was sold and shipped by Amazon.com on 2026-10-26. Amazon’s title for this listing is the family’s (“Wilson Vesper Pickleball Paddles”); its style selector shows Power, and its UPC is Wilson’s size 1 (4 1/8 in) SKU. Wilson’s US page calls the colour Black; Amazon calls it Black/White.
Specs (Wilson Vesper Power 14, Black/White, 4 1/8 in grip)
- Core: 14 mm IsoChamber core; Wilson does not name the core material on its US page (Wilson)
- Weight: 230 g (Wilson Singapore); 8.2 oz measured by Kip Lacey
- Size: 419 mm length x 190 mm width (Wilson Singapore)
- Grip: 133 mm length (Wilson Singapore); 4 1/8 in circumference, size 1 (Wilson US)
- Face: raw carbon over a fiberglass base layer (Wilson)
- Approval: USA Pickleball list, “Vesper Power 14”, added 2025-01-22 (read 2026-10-26)
Pros
- An extended one-piece handle that Wilson builds for two-handed backhands, on an elongated 14 mm Vesper
- A first-hand review of the exact model that praises its accuracy and control
- Sold and shipped by Amazon.com
Cons
- Wilson’s US page prints no weight or size; the figures come from Wilson Singapore
- The tester’s width differs from Wilson’s
- Wilson does not name the core material
Who should buy it
Tennis players and two-handed hitters who want an elongated Vesper and value placement as much as pop.
Wilson Cadence SF Pro 16, 16 mm Foam Widebody
Black/Blue · 16 mm StrikeFoam solid foam
Control players who want a forgiving widebody and are happy to trade some reach.
$91.11 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 05:41 UTCVerdict
Wilson’s StrikeFoam control widebody, the one MyPickleList’s tester ended up preferring of the three StrikeFoam paddles, for players who want a wide face and a 16 mm foam core.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, exact model. MyPickleList (Pickle Li): Cadence SF Pro 16.
Wilson’s Cadence StrikeFoam Pro page says: “The expanded sweet spot gives competition-minded players the ability to play with control and precision on command.” It calls the core “StrikeFoam™, our all-new solid foam core” and lists a 15.75 in length and a “Hybrid Handle Length”, “Long enough for two-handed backhands, but short enough to promote exceptional maneuverability.” Wilson’s page describes the face two ways: the description says “the full raw carbon face maximizes responsiveness and spin”, while its technology list says “Raw Hybrid Face: Raw Carbon Fiber hitting surface with a fiberglass base layer”. Wilson’s Indonesian page lists a 76 sq in head, 15.75 x 8.25 in, 16 mm, 230 g / 8.1 oz, a “Wide Body” shape and a “Raw Hybrid Face”. Wilson does not publish a handle length figure.
Pickle Li’s first impressions on MyPickleList (March 22, 2026) writes: “Widebody (Cadence SF Pro 16, 16mm only) — Typical widebody tradeoffs: faster hand speed, bigger sweet spot, you lose a bit of reach and power. The first day wasn’t the best, but after all my sessions, this would be my favorite.” The review weighed the widebody sample at 8.43 oz, rated both 16 mm StrikeFoam paddles 7/10, and found “All handles are on the thicker side.” On the face, Pickle Li writes: “I don’t think they have fiberglass this time, but it has that fiberglass-like feel”; Wilson’s pages list a fiberglass base layer.
It was sold by RacquetGalaxy and shipped by Amazon, with one left in stock on 2026-10-26. Amazon groups this listing with the Vesper SF Control 17, but its UPC is Wilson’s Cadence SF Pro 16 size 1 (4 1/8 in) SKU.
Specs (Wilson Cadence StrikeFoam Pro 16, Black/Blue, 4 1/8 in grip)
- Core: 16 mm StrikeFoam solid foam (Wilson)
- Weight: 230 g / 8.1 oz (Wilson Indonesia); 8.43 oz measured by Pickle Li
- Size: 15.75 in length x 8.25 in width; 76 sq in head (Wilson Indonesia; length also on Wilson US)
- Grip: “hybrid” handle length, no figure published; 4 1/8 in circumference, size 1 (Wilson US)
- Face: raw carbon over a fiberglass base layer (Wilson’s technology list); “full raw carbon face” (Wilson’s description)
- Approval: USA Pickleball list, “Cadence SF Pro 16”, added 2025-10-13 (read 2026-10-26)
Pros
- A 16 mm StrikeFoam core on a widebody that Wilson credits with an expanded sweet spot
- The tester’s favourite of Wilson’s three StrikeFoam paddles after several sessions
- Shipped by Amazon
Cons
- Wilson’s own page describes the face two different ways
- One left in stock on Amazon when we checked
- A thick handle, per the tester; Wilson gives no handle length figure
Who should buy it
Control players who want a forgiving widebody and are happy to trade some reach.
Wilson Blaze SF Pro 13, 13 mm Foam Elongated
Black/Red · 13 mm StrikeFoam solid foam
Players who want an elongated paddle with a thin core and a direct feel off the face, and accept that the one tester found it hit less hard than the 16 mm StrikeFoam models.
$80.00 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 05:41 UTCVerdict
The thin-core StrikeFoam Blaze, for players who want an elongated paddle where, in MyPickleList’s tester’s words, “you could feel the response more”, and who accept that the one tester found a smaller sweet spot and less power than on the 16 mm StrikeFoam models.
Evidence: Independently reviewed, exact model. MyPickleList (Pickle Li): Blaze SF Pro 13.
Wilson’s Blaze StrikeFoam Pro 13 page says it is “Designed for competitive players who can hit the ball deep into the court or drop it just over the net”, with “a hybrid face of raw carbon fiber with a fiberglass base to help you maximize power and generate spin” and a Thermoformed Edge. Wilson’s Indonesian page lists a 64 sq in head, 16.5 x 7.5 in, 13 mm, 230 g / 8.1 oz, an elongated shape, a StrikeFoam core and an “Extended Length” handle.
Pickle Li’s MyPickleList first impressions writes: “13mm elongated (Blaze SF Pro 13) — More intuitive on the first day because you could feel the response more. A bit less muted; pop was a bit more predictable vs other paddles. After all sessions though, I think the sweet spot was smaller compared to the 16mm versions. I ended up preferring the 16mm in general. The 13mm felt a bit too thin.” The review rated it 6/10, weighed the sample at 8.31 oz, and calls it “all-court leaning on power”. As with the Cadence, Pickle Li did not think the StrikeFoam paddles have fiberglass; Wilson’s page says this one has a fiberglass base.
On power, Wilson and the tester disagree. Wilson’s guide says “13mm paddles: Thinner core, more power and responsiveness”, and it sorts the Blaze line under “Power, spin, and aggressive play”. Pickle Li, the only tester we found who tried both StrikeFoam thicknesses, “noticed a significant difference in power on drives and returns between the 13mm and 16mm. The 16mm was hitting significantly harder in my opinion.” Of the 13 mm, Pickle Li wrote that “the lack of power wasn’t as appealing as the 16mm versions once I dialed them in.” Wilson’s claim is the maker’s own; the tester’s is one person’s first impressions, so treat the power question as open.
It was sold and shipped by Tennis Spectrum, with one left in stock on 2026-10-26. The listing’s title and its grip-size field say a 4-1/4″ grip, but its UPC is the barcode Wilson’s US store gives the 4-1/8″ (size 1) SKU, the grip size Wilson’s US page offers. Check the grip size with the seller if it matters to you.
Specs (Wilson Blaze StrikeFoam Pro 13, Black/Red)
- Core: 13 mm StrikeFoam solid foam (Wilson)
- Weight: 230 g / 8.1 oz (Wilson Indonesia); 8.31 oz measured by Pickle Li
- Size: 16.5 in length x 7.5 in width; 64 sq in head (Wilson Indonesia)
- Grip: extended length, no figure published (Wilson Indonesia); 4 1/8 in by UPC, 4 1/4 in by Amazon’s title and grip-size field
- Face: raw carbon fiber over a fiberglass base (Wilson)
- Approval: USA Pickleball list, “Blaze SF Pro 13”, added 2025-10-13 (read 2026-10-26)
Pros
- A 13 mm StrikeFoam core on an elongated Blaze, the thickness Wilson’s guide pairs with “more power and responsiveness”
- A first-hand review of the exact model that found it “More intuitive on the first day”
- Thermoformed carbon edge (Wilson)
Cons
- The one tester found the 16 mm StrikeFoam paddles “hitting significantly harder” and disliked the 13 mm’s “lack of power”
- The tester also found a smaller sweet spot than on the 16 mm StrikeFoam paddles and rated it below them
- Amazon’s title and grip-size field disagree with the UPC on grip size
- Sold by Tennis Spectrum with one left when we checked
Who should buy it
Players who want an elongated paddle with a thin core and a direct feel off the face, and accept that the one tester found it hit less hard than the 16 mm StrikeFoam models.
Wilson Blaze Tour 16, 16 mm Honeycomb Blaze
Black/Red · 16 mm polypropylene honeycomb
Players who want an elongated Wilson with a 16 mm core without moving up to the StrikeFoam models.
$145.50 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 05:41 UTCVerdict
The 16 mm honeycomb Blaze sold by Amazon in our $ price tier, for players who want Wilson’s power line with a thicker core and a long handle, and accept maker specs only.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Wilson (maker).
Wilson’s Blaze Tour 16 page says it “is designed for the competitive player who’s looking to maximize power and spin while still maintaining control”, and that “The paddle’s 16mm thickness with a raw carbon surface enhances spin potential”. It lists a 16.5 in length and a Thermoformed Edge. Wilson’s Singapore page adds a 64 sq in head, 7.5 in width, 230 g / 8.1 oz, an elongated shape, a polypropylene honeycomb core and a raw carbon fiber surface. Wilson’s Amazon listing describes a “Longer Handle Length: Ideal for players who prefer hitting with two-handed backhands” but gives no handle length figure.
We found no independent written review of the Blaze Tour 16. Its USA Pickleball entry dates from 2023, while the other five picks were added in 2025, and Wilson’s StrikeFoam Blaze models use a solid foam core instead of honeycomb.
It was sold and shipped by Amazon.com on 2026-10-26. Its UPC is Wilson’s size 2 (4 1/4 in) SKU, the grip size Wilson’s US store sells.
Specs (Wilson Blaze Tour 16, Black/Red, 4 1/4 in grip)
- Core: 16 mm polypropylene honeycomb (Wilson Singapore; 16 mm also on Wilson US)
- Weight: 230 g / 8.1 oz (Wilson Singapore)
- Size: 16.5 in length x 7.5 in width; 64 sq in head (Wilson Singapore; length also on Wilson US)
- Grip: longer handle, no figure published (Wilson’s Amazon listing); 4 1/4 in circumference, size 2 (Wilson US)
- Face: raw carbon fiber (Wilson)
- Approval: USA Pickleball list, “Blaze Tour 16”, added 2023-08-18 (read 2026-10-26)
Pros
- A 16 mm core with a raw carbon face on Wilson’s elongated power shape, which Wilson pitches for power and spin with control
- Sold and shipped by Amazon.com, in our $ price tier
- A longer handle that Wilson aims at two-handed backhands
Cons
- No independent review found; maker specs only
- Honeycomb core from Wilson’s earlier Blaze build, not StrikeFoam
- One grip size (4 1/4 in) on Wilson’s US page
Who should buy it
Players who want an elongated Wilson with a 16 mm core without moving up to the StrikeFoam models.
Wilson Vesper Power 17, 17 mm Elongated Vesper
Black/White · 17 mm IsoChamber honeycomb
Vesper fans who want more core thickness than the Power 14 and also like an elongated paddle.
$94.50 from AmazonAs of Nov 13, 05:41 UTCVerdict
The 17 mm version of Wilson’s elongated Vesper, for players who like the Vesper’s single-piece build and want a thicker honeycomb core, and accept maker specs only.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Wilson (maker).
Wilson’s US page lists a 16.5 in length, an “Unstrung Weight” of 230.0 and an “Unstrung Balance” of 24.0 (no units printed), plus single-piece construction, Carbon OptiMax and FreeFlex Throat. Its description text names a different paddle, the Vesper SF Power 14, so we take only the specs table from it. Wilson’s Australian page describes this model: “This paddle combines our revolutionary IsoChamber honeycomb core with a Raw Hybrid face”, “The elongated shape extends your reach while the 17mm thickness adds explosive power”, and a StableMax handle with “exceptional torsional stability for two-handed backhands”. Its specification tab gives a 16.38 in length, 230 g / 8.11 oz and a 24 cm balance. The two Wilson pages disagree on length (16.5 in and 16.38 in). Neither gives a width or handle length.
We found no independent written review of the Vesper Power 17.
It was sold and shipped by Tennis Warehouse on 2026-10-26. Its UPC is Wilson’s size 1 (4 1/8 in) SKU.
Specs (Wilson Vesper Power 17, Black/White, 4 1/8 in grip)
- Core: 17 mm IsoChamber honeycomb (Wilson Australia)
- Weight: 230 g / 8.11 oz (Wilson Australia); 230.0, no unit printed (Wilson US)
- Size: 16.5 in length (Wilson US) or 16.38 in (Wilson Australia); width not published
- Grip: handle length not published; 4 1/8 in circumference, size 1 (Wilson US)
- Face: raw hybrid (Wilson Australia)
- Approval: USA Pickleball list, “Vesper Power 17”, added 2025-10-27 (read 2026-10-26)
Pros
- A 17 mm honeycomb core in the elongated Vesper shape, with a handle Wilson builds for two-handed backhands
- Wilson publishes a balance point as well as a weight
- Sold and shipped by Tennis Warehouse
Cons
- No independent review found; maker specs only
- Wilson’s US page carries another paddle’s description, and Wilson’s two pages disagree on length
- No width or handle length published
Who should buy it
Vesper fans who want more core thickness than the Power 14 and also like an elongated paddle.
Wilson Vesper SF Control 17, 17 mm Foam Control
Black/White · 17 mm StrikeFoam solid foam
Control players who like the Vesper's single-piece build and want a thick foam core.
$164.95 from AmazonAs of Nov 12, 23:50 UTCVerdict
Wilson’s control-minded Vesper with a 17 mm StrikeFoam core and a wide body, for players who want the Vesper build with a foam core, and the one pick in our $$$ price tier.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/Pickleball owner: Vesper SF Control 17.
Wilson’s Vesper SF Control 17 page calls it “The ultimate control paddle” and says: “Built for precision, it has a thick 17mm core and wide body shape that gives you a large, forgiving sweet spot. The textured surface helps generate careful spin on the ball.” It credits StrikeFoam, “our all-new solid foam core”, and lists a Thermoformed Edge and a “Raw Hybrid Face: Raw Carbon Fiber hitting surface with a fiberglass base layer”. Wilson’s Indonesian page gives about 8.1 oz (about 230 g), 17 mm, 16 x 7.75 in and a 5 in handle, and calls the surface “Raw Carbon Fiber”. The two Wilson pages describe the face differently.
We found no independent written review. In a September 2026 r/Pickleball thread about Wilson’s next Vesper, one commenter who “played the first gen vesper control, and now playing the all black strike foam vesper” writes: “the strikefoam vesper control is so SO VERY good.” Other commenters in the same thread were less taken with the Vesper’s frame design; one asks why Wilson keeps it and says “You get a small sweet spot because you’re giving up paddle face to the frame.”
It was sold by Midwest Racquet Sports and shipped by RacquetGalaxy, with nine left in stock on 2026-10-26. The Amazon offer was below Wilson’s regular price but above the sale price on Wilson’s own site, where it was sold out that day.
Specs (Wilson Vesper SF Control 17, Black/White, 4 1/8 in grip)
- Core: 17 mm StrikeFoam solid foam (Wilson)
- Weight: about 8.1 oz / about 230 g (Wilson Indonesia)
- Size: 16 in length x 7.75 in width (Wilson Indonesia)
- Grip: 5 in handle (Wilson Indonesia); 4 1/8 in circumference, size 1 (Wilson US)
- Face: raw carbon over a fiberglass base layer (Wilson US); “Raw Carbon Fiber” (Wilson Indonesia)
- Approval: USA Pickleball list, “Vesper SF Control 17”, added 2025-12-14 (read 2026-10-26)
Pros
- A 17 mm StrikeFoam core on a wide body that Wilson credits with a large, forgiving sweet spot
- Wilson publishes weight, size and handle length for it (on its Indonesian page)
- An owner who moved to it from the first Vesper Control rates it highly
Cons
- No independent review; one owner’s comment, and other commenters doubt the Vesper frame design
- Sold by a third-party retailer, above Wilson’s own sale price that day
- Wilson’s pages describe the face two ways
Who should buy it
Control players who like the Vesper’s single-piece build and want a thick foam core.
Choosing Between Wilson’s Paddles
Power or control
Wilson’s own line split is a quick filter: Blaze for “Power, spin, and aggressive play”, Cadence for “Control, consistency, and placement”, Vesper for “Premium performance across every shot”. Among the picks, the Blaze SF Pro 13, Blaze Tour 16 and both Vesper Power models are elongated; the Cadence SF Pro 16 and Vesper SF Control 17 are Wilson’s wide shapes. For more paddles in each shape, see our elongated and wide body guides.
Core thickness
The six picks span 13, 14, 16 and 17 mm. Wilson’s guide ties 13 mm to “more power and responsiveness” and 16 mm to “more control, stability, and softer feel”. The one tester we found who tried both StrikeFoam thicknesses reported the opposite on power: Pickle Li “noticed a significant difference in power on drives and returns between the 13mm and 16mm” and wrote “The 16mm was hitting significantly harder in my opinion.” For 14 mm paddles from other brands, see our 14mm paddle guide.
Grip size and handle length
Wilson’s US store sells its paddles by grip circumference: size 1 is 4 1/8 in and size 2 is 4 1/4 in. Four picks link the 4 1/8 in size by both Amazon title and UPC; the Blaze SF Pro 13 is 4 1/8 in by its UPC but 4 1/4 in by Amazon’s title and grip-size field, and the Blaze Tour 16 is 4 1/4 in, the size Wilson’s US store lists for it. Wilson publishes a handle length for two picks (133 mm on the Vesper Power 14, 5 in on the Vesper SF Control 17) and describes the Blaze SF Pro 13’s as “extended”, the Blaze Tour 16’s as “longer” and the Cadence SF Pro 16’s as “hybrid”; the Vesper Power 17 gets no handle description beyond its two-handed-backhand handle. Pickle Li found the StrikeFoam handles “on the thicker side”. If a grip runs small, our guide to making a paddle grip bigger covers overgrips, heat-shrink and build-up sleeves.
Warranty and where you buy
Wilson’s US help center says: “Most Wilson products carry a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase by the original purchaser from Wilson.com or an authorized dealer.” Each pick’s Amazon listing gives a “1 Year Limited” warranty. Four of the six picks were sold by retailers other than Amazon.com when we checked, so if the warranty matters to you, ask the seller whether it is a Wilson dealer before you buy. For how long a paddle tends to last, see how long a pickleball paddle lasts.
On a budget
Wilson’s US store does not list an entry-level paddle right now: its Fierce line, which Wilson aims at beginners, was not listed there when we checked. The Blaze Tour 16 is the pick in our $ price tier. For lower-priced paddles from every brand, see our best budget pickleball paddles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are Wilson pickleball paddles good?
Testers are split. Kip Lacey wrote of the Vesper Power 14 on Pickleball Portal: “This paddle blew me away.” Pickle Li of MyPickleList opens the StrikeFoam review with “Wilson is a popular tennis brand that tried to dip their toes into pickleball. Thus far, I would say they aren’t too successful, and you probably haven’t seen many on the courts”, finds “build quality is good on the Wilsons”, and closes: “Although it’s probably not as competitive as the best paddles on the market, it’s a step in the right direction.” Reddit comments range from the SF Control 17 commenter quoted above to commenters who doubt the Vesper’s frame design.
Q. Which Wilson paddle suits a beginner?
Wilson points newer players to its Fierce line, which its US store did not list when we checked. Wilson’s own guide also says “A beginner can absolutely benefit from a premium pickleball paddle”. Of the picks, Wilson credits the two wide shapes (Cadence SF Pro 16 and Vesper SF Control 17) with a large or expanded sweet spot. Its US pages say the same of the Thermoformed Edge on both Blaze picks, the Blaze SF Pro 13 and the Blaze Tour 16: it “expands the sweet spot”. For paddles from every brand aimed at new players, see our best beginner pickleball paddles and what to look for in a beginner paddle.
Q. Is the Wilson Fierce Team still sold?
Wilson’s US store did not list any Fierce paddle on 2026-10-26, so no Fierce model is reviewed here. An Amazon search that day showed Fierce Pro, Fierce Max and NFL-collection Fierce Team listings, but with no Wilson US regular price we had nothing to check their offers against. Wilson’s UK store still listed the Fierce Team. The USA Pickleball list has entries for the Fierce Team, Fierce Pro and Fierce Max, all added in 2023.
Q. What is the difference between the Vesper Power and the Vesper Control?
On Wilson’s pages, the Vesper Power 14 and Power 17 are elongated with IsoChamber cores and long handles, and the Vesper SF Control 17 is a wide body with a 17 mm StrikeFoam core. Wilson says the SF Control 17 is “Built for precision” and calls the Power 14 a paddle for “more power without sacrificing precision”. The earlier Vesper Control 17, which used Wilson’s original Vesper build, was not on Wilson’s US store when we checked.
Q. Are Wilson paddles USA Pickleball approved?
All six picks have an entry on the USA Pickleball approved-paddle list, read on 2026-10-26: Vesper Power 14 (added 2025-01-22), Cadence SF Pro 16 and Blaze SF Pro 13 (2025-10-13), Blaze Tour 16 (2023-08-18), Vesper Power 17 (2025-10-27) and Vesper SF Control 17 (2025-12-14).
Q. What warranty comes with a Wilson pickleball paddle?
Wilson’s US help center says most Wilson products carry “a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase by the original purchaser from Wilson.com or an authorized dealer”, and each pick’s Amazon listing says “1 Year Limited”.
Q. What is the Wilson XP1?
The USA Pickleball list has two “XP1” entries (added 2022 and 2023) and an “XP1 Team” (2024). Wilson’s US store did not list an XP1 when we checked, so it is not reviewed here.
The bottom line
Final Verdict
For a Vesper with a first-hand review behind it, the Wilson Vesper Power 14 (check price) is our pick: an elongated 14 mm paddle with a long handle that Kip Lacey praised for accuracy and control, sold by Amazon.com. Control players who want a wide face should start with the Wilson Cadence SF Pro 16 (check price), the StrikeFoam paddle MyPickleList’s tester preferred, or the Wilson Vesper SF Control 17 (check price) for a 17 mm foam core in the Vesper build. The Wilson Blaze Tour 16 (check price) is the 16 mm elongated option in our $ price tier, the Wilson Blaze SF Pro 13 (check price) suits players who want a thin core and accept that its one tester found a smaller sweet spot and less power than on the 16 mm StrikeFoam paddles, and the Wilson Vesper Power 17 (check price) is also elongated, with more core thickness than the Power 14.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
